Blackfield – Blackfield IV (2013)
A Melodic, Intimate Fourth Album from an Evolving Art‑Rock Collaboration
Released on 26 August 2013, Blackfield IV is the fourth studio album by the art‑rock project Blackfield — a musical partnership between Israeli songwriter Aviv Geffen and British musician Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree fame. While earlier Blackfield albums were true co‑creative efforts, this one sees Geffen take a leading role in songwriting and vision as Wilson shifted focus toward his solo work.
Recorded between early 2012 and mid‑2013, Blackfield IV blends atmospheric rock, melodic pop, and introspective lyricism, with guest appearances from several celebrated artists. It’s compact — just over 30 minutes — yet rich in texture and variety, making it a standout chapter in Blackfield’s evolving discography.
Album Overview
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Artist: Blackfield
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Album: Blackfield IV
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Release Date: 26 August 2013
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Label: Kscope
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Producer: Aviv Geffen
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Genre: Art Rock / Pop Rock / Alternative Rock
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Length: Approx. 31:22
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Recorded: January–July 2012
Although Steven Wilson’s role on this album was smaller than on earlier Blackfield records, he still contributes guitar, vocals on select tracks, and mixing. Meanwhile, Geffen’s presence as songwriter and creative lead is front and center throughout.
Tracklist
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Pills – 3:34
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Springtime – 2:25
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X‑Ray – 2:37 (feat. Vincent Cavanagh)
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Sense of Insanity – 3:24
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Firefly – 2:47 (feat. Brett Anderson)
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The Only Fool Is Me – 1:54 (feat. Jonathan Donahue)
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Jupiter – 3:46
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Kissed by the Devil – 3:03
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Lost Souls – 2:57
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Faking – 3:33
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After the Rain – 1:26
This concise tracklist showcases tightly written rock and pop songs, many of which showcase vibrant vocal performances and unexpected guest turns.
Album Credits
Core Members
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Aviv Geffen – lead vocals, guitars, keyboards
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Steven Wilson – lead vocals (on Jupiter), backing vocals (Pills, Sense of Insanity, Lost Souls), guitars
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Seffy Efrati – bass guitar
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Eran Mitelman – piano, keyboards
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Tomer Z – drums, percussion
Featured Guest Artists
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Vincent Cavanagh (Anathema) – vocals on X‑Ray
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Brett Anderson (Suede) – vocals on Firefly
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Jonathan Donahue (Mercury Rev) – vocals on The Only Fool Is Me
Production Team
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Producer: Aviv Geffen
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Mixing: Steven Wilson (also 5.1 surround mix on select editions)
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Label: Kscope
Album Themes & Sound
Blackfield IV reflects Geffen’s evolving songwriting voice, combining short, melodic pop‑rock songs with darker lyrical themes and lush arrangements. Some tracks nod to classic rock influences, while others experiment with indie and atmospheric textures:
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“Pills” opens with bright, anthemic energy.
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“X‑Ray” features Anathema’s Vincent Cavanagh, adding somber, emotive contrast.
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“Firefly” brings Brett Anderson’s distinctive voice from Suede into the mix, introducing a different indie rock flavor.
The album’s generally concise songs and approachable sound make it one of Blackfield’s most accessible records.
Fun Facts
🎤 Guest stars: The album features three special guest vocalists from well‑known bands — Brett Anderson (Suede), Vincent Cavanagh (Anathema), and Jonathan Donahue (Mercury Rev) — each adding unique textures to their respective tracks.
🎧 Wilson’s mix: Although his songwriting input was limited, Steven Wilson created stereo and 5.1 surround mixes for Blackfield IV, making the special edition prized among audiophiles.
🎶 Short and sweet: At just over half an hour, Blackfield IV is one of the shortest full‑length albums in the band’s catalog — but its brevity gives it immediate replay appeal.
Trivia
🎵 Creative shift: This album continues a trend started on Welcome to My DNA (2011) in which Aviv Geffen took primary creative leadership, while Steven Wilson focused more on his solo projects.
📀 Genre blend: While art‑rock remains a core identity, the songs draw influences from pop rock, indie, and symphonic elements — showing a broader stylistic palette.
🎙️ Wilson vocals: Steven Wilson sings lead only on one track (Jupiter), with backing vocals on a handful of others — a noticeable change from earlier albums.
Did You Know?
✨ The title Blackfield IV was intentionally straightforward — a reminder that this was the fourth chapter of the project despite changes in personnel dynamics.
✨ Recording sessions took place across 2012, with a focus on capturing short, memorable songs rather than sprawling compositions.
Goofs & Misconceptions
❌ Not written by Wilson: Unlike the first two Blackfield albums, Blackfield IV was primarily written by Aviv Geffen, with Wilson contributing only select playing, vocals, and mixing. Some fans mistakenly think Wilson wrote a majority of it.
❌ Not a live album: Despite its concise length, this is not a live or compilation album — it’s a studio project with original material.
❌ Not a true “duet” record: Due to Wilson’s limited involvement compared to earlier releases, this album is often mislabeled as a full duet between Wilson and Geffen — in reality, it leans heavily on Geffen’s creative leadership.
